Ask the cyclista
As a matter of fact, yes, cyclists are "entitled" to use the road

by Jennaye Derge

Thanks, everyone, for sending in your questions about bike commuting. I chose to respond to one in particular because it is the same sentiment I hear over and over, so why not address it, in one exacerbated breath?

Question: I’ve lived on County Road 250 for 30 years and have finally come to terms with the entitled cyclists that ride here. However, the Tuesday and sometimes weekend group rides of 30 or more cyclists gives cycling in Durango a bad name. They will ride three abreast and make it impossible to pass and ride with one hand on the handlebars while using the other hand to flip you off if you honk your horn. And let’s not forget the dude on a scooter pacing a racer down the middle of the lane.

– Dennis P.

Dear Dennis,

Your question, which never actually asks a question, is perfect, because it brings up pretty much every issue that any vehicle driver has ever had with any cyclist on any road ever.

I’m sorry that CR 250 is such a circus of bicycles for about 30 minutes on Tuesday evenings. It’s true that Colorado law states that cyclists should (and can) ride two abreast and do so as long as they are not impeding traffic. (According to Bicycle Colorado, “impeding traffic” means not holding up more than five cars.) How unfortunate you had to witness cyclists riding three abreast; what a mess. My condolences. 

However, you will not be happy to know that this two-abreast rule includes a nuance. It is suggested that larger groups of cyclists ride in a conglomerated group because studies show everyone is safer, and it is easier to pass a single, large group instead of a long continuous line. So, this Tuesday night group ride is actually doing what is safe and, consequently, what is most convenient for you. Imagine having to pass a single-file line of 30 (or more) cyclists down CR 250. That would be pretty unsafe, not to mention it would take forever to thoroughly pass them all. Imagine having to honk 30 consecutive times at 30 single cyclists. Imagine how tired your hand would be.

We all know which Tuesday group ride you’re talking about, and I follow a few of the riders on Strava. Trust me, they are not riding slow enough to hold up traffic or inconvenience anyone. These cyclists are mostly pros (or hobby-pro adjacent). That is to say, they are really fast and likely going the posted 35 mph speed limit on CR 250 or close to it. My question to you is, how fast are you going, and why do you want to pass them so badly? 

Besides the fact that it shouldn’t matter how fast or not fast they are going, I don’t love to hear they are flipping you off. But you said they flip you off after you honk. I suspect this is cause and effect. Have you ever had someone honk at you, and it made you feel warm and fuzzy inside? Probably not. My guess is your reaction to a honk would probably be to flip them off.

It’s a well-known fact that honking is a car’s way of putting up a middle finger, and in addition, it’s loud and startling. I have had cars, trucks and semi-trucks honk at me while I’m riding my bike for no other reason than they are being bullies. I, too, have wanted to flip them off, and I would if I wasn’t constantly in fear of my life while riding my bike on a road. 

This brings up another point to your non-question of calling cyclists “entitled.”

I actually kind of love when cyclists are called entitled, because it proves my point and, surprisingly, your point. Cyclists ARE entitled to use the road. Some folks just don’t like to admit it. 

Cyclists own rights to the roads just as much as drivers do. And don’t try to tell me cyclists don’t belong on the road because they don’t pay taxes for roads. The latest statistics show that 91.1% of households in the United States own at least one vehicle. Meaning, almost everyone who rides a bike on the road also owns a vehicle. Therefore, they also pay for gas and registration fees on their cars, which pays for roads. Also, get this: a lot of money that pays for road infrastructure comes out of state and federal funds and grants. So, surprise! We ALL pay for road infrastructure, cars just happen to feel the most, dare I say, entitled to it.

Perhaps folks don’t like to share the road with cyclists, because our infrastructure, economy and entire lives in the United States have been built for and around motor vehicles. 

While I see you getting frustrated on your Tuesday evening drives on CR 250, as you’re slowed down by a group of cyclists, I also see a clear solution: advocate for more bicycle infrastructure. Maybe instead of writing me with your question-that’s-not-a-question, use your voice and time instead to help get bike lanes installed in and around Durango (and anywhere, really). That way, when you are driving on the roads, entitled cyclists can be riding in their own lane – two, three, four abreast. They wouldn’t be in the way of your Tuesday night drive, and you wouldn’t have to worry about honking so many times and getting flipped off in return. 

Oh, and as for the guy on the scooter … I have no idea what his deal is. Maybe he’s just having a day. 

Please continue to send me your bicycle commuting and casual cycling questions (just know, if they are in a ranty tone, do not be surprised if I match it.) Otherwise, let’s keep it fun, kind and respectful: info@bikedurango.org